can now hardly express myself as strongly, even, as in the "Origin." This
has much decreased the pleasure of my work. In the course of September, if
I can get at all stronger, I hope to get Mr. J. Jenner Weir (who has been
wonderfully kind in giving me information) to pay me a visit, and I will
then write for the chance of your being able to come, and I hope bring with
you Mrs. Wallace. If I could get several of you together it would be less
dull for you, for of late I have found it impossible to talk with any human
being for more than half an hour, except on extraordinary good days.

(448/1. On September 16th Darwin wrote to Wallace on the same subject:--)

You will be pleased to hear that I am undergoing severe distress about
protection and sexual selection; this morning I oscillated with joy towards
you; this evening I have swung back to the old position, out of which I
fear I shall never get.


LETTER 449. TO A.R. WALLACE.

(449/1. From "Life and Letters," Volume III., page 123.)

Down, September 23rd [1868].

I am very much obliged for all your trouble in writing me your long letter,
which I will keep by me and ponder over. To answer it would require at
least 200 folio pages! If you could see how often I have rewritten some
pages you would know how anxious I am to arrive as near as I can to the
truth. I lay great stress on what I know takes place under domestication;
I think we start with different fundamental notions on inheritance. I find
it is most difficult, but not, I think, impossible to see how, for